After reading the title, you may have asked yourself, “My love for my partner is enough! Why would I need a relationship certificate?”.
NSW and other Australian states will eventually need a relationship certificate from certain couples for many reasons. A registered relationship in NSW is a legal recognition conferred by the government, providing a layer of legal protection similar to that of married couples.
Yes, you read that right! De facto couples and same-sex couples have rights like married couples in property settlement matters. De facto couples are couples who have been in a relationship for more than 2 years and are unmarried (which also applies to same-sex couples).
During those two years, de facto couples may have accumulated assets and savings. Now, some couples may be afraid of how to divide their assets and finances if they ever break up. As long as you can provide a standard relationship certificate that proves your de facto relationship, then you can proceed with property settlement matters.
So, do you need a relationship certificate in NSW? Let’s read on to know how to get one.
How Can the Relationships Register Act 2010 Help You?
Australian de facto couples who want a relationship certificate in NSW can rely on the Relationship Register Act 2010. This law governs relationship certificates and registration matters in NSW. The main object of this Act is to provide legal recognition to couples.
But are you eligible for this registration? Let’s look at how Section 5 of the Act will answer this:
1. Two adults, regardless of gender, who are in a committed relationship, can apply for a relationship certificate in NSW. However, at least one of them must live in NSW.
2. A couple cannot register their relationship if either person is:
- Married or in a registered relationship in NSW or elsewhere
- In a de facto relationship with someone else
- Related to each other
Are you eligible? If so, read on to understand the next step.
Section 6 of the Act mentions that the Registrar will require the following applicants for the relationship certificate:
1. A statutory declaration from each person that states their:
- Wishes to register the relationship
- Genuine relationship status
- Residency status in NSW
2. Evidence of the identity and age of each person in the relationship,
3. The standard certificate fee prescribed by the regulations,
4. Any other documents and information prescribed by the regulations.
De Facto Relationship Certificate NSW: What’s the Next Step?
You can either apply online or in person to register your relationship in NSW.
For the first option, go to the online application portal and completely and thoroughly answer the questions in the online relationship registration application form.
For the second option, please download the form that you need to download and print. Complete this form and visit any service centres and submit your application in person, or by post to this address:
Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, GPO Box 30, Sydney NSW 2001
Then, attach photocopies of your identification certified by an approved witness. Do not include the originals. Finally, the Registry will send your relationship certificate to you by registered post because they don’t allow personal collection at the service centres.
Remember to not laminate your relationship certificate. Why? Government agencies may not accept them since they only prefer their original form.
If you need more information on how to register a relationship, read this article from our site to learn more.
Payment Options for Your Relationship Certificate in NSW
Finally, you can choose your payment options for your relationship certificate in NSW:
- Mastercard, Visa, American Express, UnionPay or Diners Club (a merchant fee may apply)
- PayPal
- In-person payment methods include EFTPOS, cash, cheque (personal or bank), money order, and credit or debit card.
To save you some time, we have a list below of some service centres and mobile services that don’t accept cash:
- Mobile Service Centres
- Eastgardens Service Centre
- Edmondson Park Service Centre
- Engadine Service Centre
- Glenmore Park Service Centre
- Macquarie Fields Driver Testing Centre
- Merrylands Service Centre
- North Rocks Service Centre
- North Sydney Service Centre
- Roselands Service Centre
- St Mary’s Testing Centre
- Woy Woy Service Centre.
Below is a list of the fees depending on the type of request you make as of February 2025. The fees could be updated at any time, so it’s important to check this page for updates.
| Relationship registration (includes 1 standard certificate) | AUD 253 |
| Revocation of the relationship (if required) | AUD 93 |
| Standard (relationship or revocation) certificate | AUD 67 |
| Commemorative package (1 standard and 1 commemorative certificate) | AUD 97 |
| Commemorative certificate on its own | AUD 44 |
| Relationship ceremony package fee (includes registration, certificate and ceremony) | AUD 479 |
Relationship Certificate NSW: FAQ Section
Q: Is There a Cooling-off Period After the Registration?
After applying, the Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages will give you a 28-day cooling-off period. This means that the Registry will give you time to decide whether to push through with your application or cancel it instead. If, after such period, no Notice of withdrawal was lodged, they will issue a registered relationship certificate.
Q: Wait, I Have a Chance To Withdraw My Application?
Yes! As long as the relationship is not registered yet, you can file a Notice to Withdraw. This notice will cancel your application to register the relationship. If you decide to withdraw your application, you can do so in person or by post. However, you cannot simply cancel it without reasonable grounds, so you need to follow these requirements:
- Only the partners applying to register their relationship can apply to withdraw.
- One or both partners may apply.
- Any certificate registration fee will be refunded.
- Partner(s) who lodge a notice to withdraw must provide three forms of identification.
- Submit the notice to withdraw within 28 days of the original application.
By way of exception, the Registry will not require you to pay for the withdrawal of your relationship certificate NSW application if:
- The relationship registration withdrawal was done within the 28-day cooling-off period.
- The relationship revocation was done within the 90-day cooling-off period.
Q: When Can I Get My Relationship Certificate?
Processing times vary depending on the type of application you choose.
- Online application – up to 6 weeks
- Paper application – up to 7 weeks
- Revocation of registered relationship – up to 13 weeks.
Q: So, Why Should I Register My Relationship?
A relationship serves multiple purposes, especially in the legal world. Luckily, Australian law paved the way for couples to register their relationship and have access to such benefits and services as married couples. Let’s look at some examples:
- Wills legally recognise your de facto partner as someone who can inherit your property. A de facto spouse has basically the same rights to inherit property as a married spouse. Please read our article from Mondaq that discusses property matters.
- Looking to apply for partner visas/de facto visas? Then you will need to prove that you’re in a domestic relationship with your partner. This is an important requirement when applying for this visa.
- When you break up and need to request de facto maintenance, you may need a relationship certificate in NSW.
Don’t Face Legal Matters About Your Relationship Alone!
While it’s not mandatory to get a relationship certificate in NSW, it is recommended that you do so. This is not simply a paper that proves your relationship, but this certificate can come in handy when dealing with any legal or financial matters. You don’t want your partner calling out your pre-existing legal obligations on your relationship and not knowing what they are.
That’s why our family lawyers at JB Solicitors can help you whether you want to take matters to the family court or settle amicably in mediation. Our expertise can help you reach a fair agreement about de facto financial matters with your partner, saving you the stress of lengthy court battles and handling piles of legal documents.
Contact us today if you need more help!
